Tom Ploppert is a part-time maker from Cullman, AL. He credits his inspiration behind his knife making passion to Bill Ruple - a master at making slip joint folders. Tom built his first slip joint knife in April 2009. He later took a slip joint making class taught by Bill Ruple and Rusty Preston (another Ruple alum). Tom has certainly been a good student. You can see his passion in his work and tell it from speaking with him. Tom's fit and finish, and attention to detail is obvious once you hold one of his folders. He's also a humble and personable guy.
This is the Prototype of Tom Ploppert's two-blade Elephant Toenail. This pattern has also been referred to as a Rope Knife or Sunfish. This knife is NEW and was recently received, direct from Tom's shop in Alabama. The scales are premium presentation ancient, fossilized material - beautifully matched and great natural colors. Look at the size of these scales! You don't find this quality in pieces that large. Tom told me that it would be nearly impossible to find anything closely similar to these. Not to mention what they would cost. The blades, as well as the backsprings are CPM 154 stainless steel. The liners are Integral to the bolster - meaning no seams - making a knife of this construction much more challenging and time consuming to build. The liners are heat treated and tempered 416 stainless steel. The bolsters and pins are also 416 SS. Tom's "PLOPPERT" maker's mark is on the ricasso of the main blade, and "PROTOTYPE" is stamped on the reverse side of the pen blade. There is no half stop on either blade - true to the original Toenail pattern. The blades lock up tight with no play, and they are well-seated in the handle. Note that the well (inside of the handle) is narrow, so the tolerances are extremely tight. These blades sit very close to each other, as well as to the liners. They do not touch. Each should be opened and closed with care, so as not to scratch/rub the adjacent blade or liner. I have inspected both blades extensively and they came from Tom in perfect condition. The blades pivot around Aluminum Bronze Bushings. Nice deep nail nick, as well as a long pull on the main blade and a well-cut nail nick on the pen blade. Tom's grinds are clean and symmetrical. The tolerances that he is able to maintain are outstanding! Tom has truly mastered the art of slip-joint folders, and this knife is a great example. Comes in a padded zippered Ploppert case.
